DC

About a month ago, we headed to VA with Aaron's parents, Audrey, Kyle, and Leighra. We stayed in a cabin in Spotsylvania. Azaylee went swimming for the first time and pretty much hated it :(. Hopefully as she gets more used to it, it will become fun. I just thought that since she loves baths, pool would definitely be fun. We also went to visit the Campbells. It was so nice to catch up with them. We spent two fun days in DC. On the way home we went to visit Aaron's Aunt and Uncle in Lynchburg. We had a great time! Here are some pics-

WEIGHT LOSS UPDATE.

I have alot to blog about, but we will start with this topic since this is where I left off. I have lost 12 lbs total now. It has involved hard work and some major changes in my life. I am no longer counting points because I was just gaining and losing the same 6 lbs over and over! Now I have cut out additives, preservatives and most things with food coloring. I have felt so much better! I haven't had any soda or junk food. This means lots of trips to Trader Joe's and cooking lots of foods from scratch. When you actually start looking at the labels it is amazing what is in the everyday foods you eat. I haven't had nearly as many headaches and I have had alot of energy. I have been walking on the Greenway, jogging in our neighborhood, and doing the Shred. It is nice to have some variation in work outs and the weather has been beautiful to get outside in! SO 12 lbs down, 38 to go!!

Goal Update

So I am on week 2 of my goal of losing weight and eating healthy. I have lost 6 lbs (which is a pretty good start). 44 to go! I haven't weighed in this week, but I will try to tomorrow. I haven't worked out much this week bc both Zay and I have had a cold. Also, my grandma baked me a strawberry cake with strawberry icing (MY FAVE) and I do confess to having a couple pieces....BUT now I am back on track. :) I have learned a couple things about myself this week. I eat sometimes when I am upset or avoiding something overwhelming. (like 5 loads of laundry) I never realized I did this, so I am going to pay more attention. I seem to be quite the sweet tea addict. I have missed it and thought longingly of sweet tea at least a few times a day. BTW, tea with splenda is just not the same so don't even suggest it! ;) I also expect to have something sweet every night after dinner. I don't know when this happened but I am trying to change my mindset. I don't NEED sweets. I did make some whole wheat chocolate chip cookies the other night. They were 110 calories each, which is much better than your avg cookie plus they were delicious. My husband has been very helpful; not complaining about the lack of sweet tea or soda and downed 4 choc chip cookies right away( he said that was how many it took to begin forgetting they were wheat). He even memorized every word to the "30 day shred" and says what Jillian is gonna say before it comes out of her mouth, which is oh so helpful. (not!) Thanks for all of ya'll's help and advice!

3o day shred and yummy pitas

I am on day four of the 30 day shred. It is getting easier each day. I am still sore and feel challenged by the workout. I am eating healthier and haven't felt like I've missed out on much. Yesterday, we had pita burgers. I made the whole wheat pita pockets in my bread machine and they were delicious! I have become quite the bread machine fanatic. I really don't know how I survived so long without one ;). Anyway, they must've looked pretty good because Aaron actually ate one. (And only 1 point according to weight watchers!) Here's a pic below.

4 months old- No pics yet

Yesterday Azaylee had her 4 month appointment. She was 13lbs 15 oz( 75th) 24 1/4 inches(75th) and her head was 16 1/2(50th). Seems she has slimmed down alot from her 90th percentile weights! The new pediatrician said she was doing great and that she was a good size for her age. She did great with her shots. She didn't cry at all until the 2nd one and that lasted only a minute. I really liked the new pediatrician's office and felt comfortable there. I hope this is a better experience! Azaylee kept smiling at the doctor everytime he talked to her. At the other office she cried most of the time. I don't know what the difference was but she was happy to be there.

4 month facts:
* Azaylee no longer takes the soothie! After all that attachment she decided to be done with it and now just sucks on two fingers.
* She rolls both ways and if I leave the room for only a moment she is laying on the cold hard tile off of her rug and blanket, but she doesnt seem to care.
* She is loving rice cereal and seems really excited when I get it out for her to eat each day.
* Azaylee likes to play in the exersaucer. Sometimes when I take her out when she isn't ready to get out she will start crying.
* She is still miss independent, and doesnt like sleeping on us. If we lay her in her crib she normally falls asleep within a few whimpers.
* She is not a very talkative baby. She prefers to just listen and watch everyone else talk.
* She has a few fave toys that she really enjoys and gets excited about. (one is that bumblebee frog you got her, russ and em! Thanks)
* She still loves baths and sometimes squeals when I turn the water on for her bath.
* She loves to swing outside and ride in the stroller for walks. If only it were warmer outside!
* She always wakes up smiling!
* She has slept 12 hours straight everyday this week!

Goal- Plan

Thank you for all the comments and emails! I appreciate all the advice/sympathy ;). My current plan is to do the "30 Day Shred". I started yesterday and boy am I sore! Day 2 of level one was much easier! It is only 20 minutes, so I can do that easily during naptime. I read lots of reviews and it seemed like a good way to start. I am also counting Weight Watchers points without actually going to meetings. I think this will help me get back on track with portion control and make me aware of everything I eat each day. So far, since my last post I have done pretty well. I will keep ya posted on any results that seem to come about from this plan.

Goal

I would like to lose weight.... like 50 lbs....I know, I know that's a lot and is pretty unrealistic. But I have to. I can't continue to gain weight or stay at my current weight. None of my clothes fit. Here's the problem, I love to workout. I went to the gym several times a week before Azaylee was born for dance and yoga classes. Why is that a problem you might ask? Because even if I work out 7 days a week, I never seem to lose weight. I have lost weight once in my life. It was when I was doing weight watchers and running on a treadmill hardcore. I can't afford Weight Watchers...AND I have no idea when to go the gym now that Azaylee's around. When she first came home from the hospital I was going to the gym after her 4AM feeding, but that was SO exhausting. I am also a fairly healthy eater. Sweet tea is probably my main problem. I am considering using my Christmas money to purchase Wii fit, Wii Biggest Loser game, the 30 day shred, pay for some weeks of Weight Watchers or anything else that would work. Why should you care? Because maybe something has worked for you. Maybe you know the secrets? Or maybe if I post this on my blog I will magically lose weight? :) I don't know. It's worth a try. Any suggestions?

My dear husband said to eat lots of sour patch kids. Oh and don't forget the Coke and nutty bars. So N-O-T Fair!